Improvement in tile-laying machines



J. H. SPARKES. TILE-LAYING MACHINES.

No. 195.775. Patented Oct.Z,1877.

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INVENTIIR ATTORNEYS.

N PETERSv FHDTO-LITHOGRAPMEFL WASHINGTON. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

JAMES H. SPARKES, OF CLINTON, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN TILE-LAYING MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 195,775, dated October2, 1877; application filed July 9, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES H. SPARKES, of Clinton, in the county of DeWitt and State of Illinois, have invented. a new and useful Improvementin Tile Laying Machines, of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of my improved machine,taken through the line w as, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same.Fig. 3 is a front View of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondingparts.

The object of this invention is to furnish a machine which shall be soconstructed as to open a channel to receive the tile and lay the tile insaid channel as the machine is drawn forward, and which shall be simplein construction and reliable in operation.

The invention will first be described in connection with the drawing,and then pointed out in the claim.

A are the rear wheels. 13 are the forward wheels. 0 is the rear axle. Dis the forward axle. E is the rear bolster, which is attached to therear axle G. F is the forward bolster, which is connected to the forwardaxle D by the king-bolt. Gr are the reaches, the rear ends of which areattached to the rear bolster and axle E O, and their forward ends areattached to the forward bolster F.

In case of muddy or swampy land the wheels of the carriage are replacedby runners similar to sled-runners.

To the bolsters E F are attached four posts or standards, H, between theupper ends of which is placed a strong frame, I. To the frame I issecured the upper end of the iron standard J, to which is secured theknife K. The knife K is further secured by the braces k, attached to itsupper end and to the frame I.

The foot of the standard J is made of such a shape and size as to form achannel large enough to receive the ordinary semi-tubular tiles. Therear edge of the openerstandard J is grooved or concaved to receive thetube L, through which the tiles pass into the channel opened by theknife and standard K J. The lower part of the tube L and of the rearedge of the standard J are curved to the rearward, so as to leave thetiles in proper position in the channel. The upper end of the tube Lpasses up through the bottom of the box M, attached to the frame I, toreceive the tiles to be laid, and in which the person rides who placesthe said tiles in the tube L, which tube should be kept full of tiles,so that their weight may keep their ends close together.

The frame I is kept from longitudinal movement upon the posts H bybrackets attached to it, and which rest against the sides of the saidposts H.

The frame I is raised and lowered, to regulate the depth at which thetiles are laid in the ground, by the screws N, which pass through nutssecured in the centers of the end bars of the said frame I, and theirlower ends are swiveled to the bolsters E F.

To the upper ends of the screws N are attached hand-wheels O forconvenience in operating them.

The machine is designed to be drawn by a capstan operated by horse orother convenient power, and the draft is applied to the forward end ofthe frame 1.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent The combination, in a tile-laying machine, of the boxM, tube L, opener-standard J, and knife K, all connected, constructed,and arranged as shown and described.

JAMES H. SPARKES.

WVitnesses STEPHEN K. CARTER, J OHN GAEToN.

